Principle

In circulation, a child under 10 years must be installed at the rear of the vehicle and be attached in a car seat adapted to its morphology and weight (approved child restraint system).

Exceptions

The use of a approved child restraint system is not required in the following cases :

• The morphology the child is suitable for wearing a seat belt (the car seat is provided up to a size of 1m50)
• The child has a medical certificate of exemption issued by a licensed physician. The medical certificate must indicate its validity. In case of control, it must be presented to law enforcement.
• The child is transported in a taxi or in a public transport vehicle.

One child under 10 years old may be installed at the front of the vehicle, provided that approved restraint system, in the following cases

• The child is installed back to the road, in an approved restraint system intended for that use ("back to the road" baby device ). The airbag (airbag) must be disabled.
• The vehicle does not comprise no rear seats
• The rear seat of the vehicle is not equipped with seat belt
• The rear seats of the vehicle are momentarily unusable
• Other children under the age of 10 already occupy all the rear seats of the vehicle.

Choice of restraint

Consult the Road Safety website for know how to choose one child-friendly restraint.

The restraint shall have a approval endorsement certifying that it complies with european standards :

• The R44 standard classifies devices into 5 groups corresponding to weight of the child . Only the devices referenced R. 44-03 and R. 44-04 remain authorized.
• The R129 standard (Isize) classifies the seats according to size of child. This standard is gradually replacing R44. All standard seats Isize have the system Isofix, which has been mandatory in new vehicles since 2011.

Penalties

A driver who does not comply with these rules shall be punished by a fine up to €750. In general, this is a lump sum fine of €135.

Principle

In circulation, a child 10 years of age or older must be secured by a seat belt provided that the seat is equipped with it. It can be installed at the front or rear of the vehicle. Each seat equipped with a seat belt must be occupied by a single child.

Exceptions

The wearing a seat belt is not mandatory in the following cases :

• Child 10 years of age or older whose morphology is manifestly unsuitable for the use of seat belts
• Child 10 years of age or older with a medical certificate of exemption issued by a licensed physician. The medical certificate must indicate its validity. In case of control, it must be presented to law enforcement.
• In emergency response, if he is a passenger in a priority general interest vehicle or an ambulance
• In built-up areas, if it is a passenger of a utility vehicle forced by necessity of service to stop frequently
• In built-up areas, if it is a passenger of a vehicle making door to door deliveries.

Penalties

The driver who does not comply with these obligations is sanctioned by a fine up to €750. In general, this is a lump sum fine of €135.